Space to Play

The conclusions reached by the organizers of a project to create play spaces for children living in the most challenging conditions are remarkably similar to what one might conclude for all children.  The project, as described in Bernard van Leer's publication, "Setting Our Agenda on Early Learning, Violence and Physical Environment" (Early Learning Matters; June 2010), brought communities together to create spaces to play for children growing up in the slums of Sao Paulo "in environments marked by violence, alcoholism, and drugs, where they lack access to basic rights such as education, health, and culture."  From this work they concluded…

"The importance of playing in appropriate environments is ever more significant in a society where children are pressured by expectations into assuming the roles of adults at an increasingly young age.  We can see this happening when children prefer clothes and electronic objects to simple and collective toys and games. ...  Nowadays children generally play less than in the past;  they don't play as many street games, and they are no longer capable of producing their own toys.

"We also see this phenomenon in the increasing amount of restrictions to children’s playing environments, and the lack of spaces where children can be without having to share the space with an infinity of other things.

"For these reasons it is important to develop activities and spaces that promote spontaneous fun and games, offering the natural joy of freedom, involving children and helping them to grow.  However, it is also necessary for playing to contain innovative elements, based on listening to the needs and expectations of the children."

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